The goal of most projects is to produce a product that meets market and customer needs, on a schedule responsive to the market, at an appropriate cost, and with appropriate quality. Attainment of that goal depends on how effectively the project is managed. This article presents an effective management process that is designed for software projects but is applicable to other types of projects as well. The article discusses four principles of effective management: planning—detailing every phase of what is to be done, who will do it, with what resources, in what time period—then organizing, monitoring, and controlling. Above all, effective management considers the people involved in the project.